IUI Treatment: IUI is a procedure in which a sperm sample is processed and then inserted directly into a woman’s uterus. The “washing” technique is used to remove dead and slow sperm as this creates a concentration of high-motility sperm, which increases the chances of conception. The washing process takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours and as soon as the sperm sample is ready, it is introduced into the uterus through the cervix using a thin flexible catheter. With the IUI method, good quality sperm is deposited close to the egg which increases the chances of the sperm reaching and fertilizing the egg. Doctors often prescribe fertility drugs in conjunction with IUI, so that the woman develops multiple eggs as this increases the chances of conception.
IVF Treatment: In an IVF procedure, medication is used to stimulate the woman’s ovaries so that they produce multiple eggs at one time. The eggs are then removed and fertilized in the laboratory using the husband’s (or donor’s) sperm. The fertilized eggs are then cultured in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days until they form embryos (the cells of the egg start to divide and multiply). The resulting embryos are then transferred to the woman’s uterus. The transfer is considered to be effective once one of these embryos implants in the lining of the uterus. Implantation takes place between 1 and 5 days after the transfer which means that if the IVF procedure has been successful, you would have a positive pregnancy test result in as little as 10 days from the day of embryo transfer.